Freelance writing is a potential career path that offers higher pay rates than full-time employment, flexibility, and the opportunity to work on varied projects. However, freelancers must find their own clients and manage finances like taxes. Multi-skilling in areas like video editing, data analysis, and audience engagement is important for media careers as projects often require multiple skills. Volunteering and internships can provide experience in areas like print, broadcast, and human rights reporting to build skills and networks. Social media is a key tool for self-promotion, networking, and staying informed of opportunities in the media sector. Common media jobs include writers, magazine journalists, and broadcast journalists which involve researching, interviewing, writing, and meeting dead

1. 7.4 Know about employment opportunities and job roles in the media
sector
Task1: EmploymentOpportunities
Freelance
There are many advantages to becoming a freelancer within the creative media. For example, an
average freelancer rate can easily be double that of a full time employee and because you are
working for yourself you are entitled to all the profits made from your work. Another advantage is
that freelancers are paid higher rates due to the flexible nature of the relationship with clients and
the fact that many projects can the relatively short term, however on occasion freelance contracts
can last for years. Also depending on individualskills in the media industry, you can receive very
high rates. A freelancer is paid the chosen rate for every hour that they work and also have the
opportunity to do overtime at a higher rate than original pay. A freelancer can also work for
multiple clients on different projects, which can increase income by a large amount.
Skill development is a key part of being a freelancer as you work in many different roles and for
many different companies and this helps to build a wide and unique range of skills and experience. It
also helps people gain a really good insight into different company cultures, processes, operations
and structures. Working in many different companies also gives the ability to build up a detailed CV
and a wide range of experience. Also depending on the type of freelancer a person is, they will gain
added experience of different types of products and services which will add to their experience level
and make them more interesting to future clients and in addition to this working with different
organizations gives someone the ability to advance their career and knowledge without being
limited to a single employers processes and procedures.
There are also a few disadvantages to becoming a freelancer. For example, freelancers are
responsible for finding their own work and making sure that they have a steady income, this means
that if they don’t find work they will not have any money. Freelancers are also responsible for
negotiating a hourly or day rate which is suitable for them and also they employer. Also freelancers
are responsible for managing their own finances, for example, tax, VAT and national insurance
contributions, which can be a daunting prospect if they do not have good maths or accountancy
skills and this is where it is important to have a good accountant.
Multi-Skilling
Multi-skilling is the training of a person in multiple skill sets. This is important in the creative media
sector because, there are so many different areas in the creative media that is is good to have a
wide skill set as if you have more knowledge of several areas the more income you will produce and
the more projects you will work on with different companies. There are many skills needed I my
chosen sector, which is journalism, multimedia storytelling skills are needed for producing
slideshows with sound and other visual media formats for example, video, editing and writing for
the web. Data and statistical skills are also needed examples of this are, collecting, editing and
analyzing data to produce factual and compelling interactive maps and graphics. Another skill
needed is audience development sills this is managing online comminutes and interpreting data
based on audience behavior this can be done by crowdsourcing for information and interacting with
an audience to gain an insight in to the options of the public to create a compelling and meaningful
statement within a piece of writing. Journalists have to have a good understanding of basic
programing, as this is important when using computer software to create a piece of writing.
Journalists use these skills to help news organizations generate revenues without compromising
ethics.
Skills I have Skills I have to gain
Writing Better Spelling
Communication

2. Keen interest in news and people
Good organization and the ability to work under
pressure
Voluntary
There are many different areas in journalism in which I could volunteer for to gain experience.
For example,
Job Name Where Why is it helpful
Voices of the World Argentina, Bolivia, Cambodia,
China, Costa Rica, Ethiopia,
Ghana, Jamaica, Mexico,
Mongolia, Philippines,
Romania, Samoa, South Africa,
Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Togo
This is a voluntary project
overseas. There are many
different placements that can
be done on this project in
many different countries. For
example, a print journalism
placement, which includes
gaining experience working in
the newspaper or magazine
sector as well as a broadcast
placement in which, you work
within the radio or television.
On the print media placement
you will gain a detailed view
of how publications are run
and will also compile an
impressive portfolio to help
with university interviews and
job opportunities.
Journalists for Human rights
volunteer
Eastern Africa & Southern
Africa
Journalists for human rights
work to harness the power of
the media to combat human
rights abuses by building the
capacity of the media to report
effectively on human rights
issues. This is helpful as I
would like to write about
topical subjects, such as
discrimination and other
issues and I think this may
provide me with the right
skills to be able to write about
topical subjects successfully
and emotively.
BBC television/news Work
experience
England The BBC offer placements to
work in their television and
news sections of the company.
The BBC television section
offer work placements at
many different places within
the BBC television channels,
for example, Children’s
television (Cbeebies & CBBC),
Comedy, Drama,

3. Entertainment, News and
current affairs and Sport.
I think this would be help
because as journalist I think it
would be beneficial to have
experience in every sector of
media journalism to gain an
insight to the processes
involved with working in this
particular sector. Also the
more experience I gain the
more the possibility earning
money when working as a free
lance journalist.
Grazia Magazine work
experience
England The aim of the grazia
magazine work placement is
to help develop work skills in
order to inspire a good work
ethic and improve
employability chances though
practical opportunities. I
think is would be beneficial
for me as I would like to work
as a fashion journalist and as
grazia is a fashion magazine it
would help me to gain an
insight into how it works and
the type of content written
about in a fashion magazine. It
would also help to possibly
gain employment, as I would
have had experience in my
chosen sector.
Recruitment
https://www.journalism.co.uk/media-reporter-jobs/s64/ - Journalism.co.uk offers many job
opportunities to journalists form inexperienced to very experienced. This site also allows freelancers
to advertise their services to possible employers.
http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/jobs/- holdthefrontpage is a job and resource site for
journalists. This offers jobs all around the country as well as events and training days for new
journalists to gain experience.
http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/subject/Journalism%20Jobs - Pressgazette is another jobsite for
journalists and it forces on every aspect of the journalism sector, for example, Broadcast, fashion.
Media journalism ect. This site also has many training and tip pages for new journalists as well as
resources and advertising pages.
http://www.rbi.jobs/journalism-jobs/- This site allows journalists to find jobs in their area and also
around the world. This is a good website for journalists who would like to travel and experience new
places, collecting information as they go. This site much like the others, also offers learning
opportunities and resources.
http://careers.hearst.co.uk - Hearst Magazines is a world-renowned company, which, produces
influential content and they company, publishes some of the worlds leading magazine titles for
example, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Harpers Bazaar as well as many others. Hearst Careers offer career
opportunities to journalists at every level of experience as they also offer on the job training.

4. All of these websites would be helpful to me because I would like to work in the journalism sector.
Therefore these sites would be very helpful. Most of them provide training and resources for new
journalists and this is great for me as this would enable to to gain more experience in my chosen
sector as well as working at the same time.
Digital Dorset
South Coast Social (southcoastsocial.com) – South Coast Social is a company based in
Bournemouth, which specializes in brand promotion though the use of social media and other
outlets. I think this would be a good job for me as I am very interested in hoe social media effects
businesses and their income.
Funky Digital Agency (funkydigitalagency.co.uk) – this is an agency for people who work across
online platforms such as YouTube and Blogging sites. This would be good for me as I find YouTube
and blogging very interesting and may be a career path I will take in the future.
Transcend Marketing (transcend-marketing.co.uk) – This is a company, which promotes online
businesses though social media and advertisements as well as developing adverts for brands. This is
interesting for me as I would like to be part of the development process for adverts as I think the
construction and the information that goes into adverts needs a lot od thought I I think this would
be good as it is very creative.
Networking
Networking is about making connections and building relationships with costumers and suppliers.
Networking provides the most productive and most proficient tactic at connecting with new people
and customers. Without networking, a business may struggle to gain customer engagement levels
and increased sales, so it is very important that networking is clearly established for a business.
Social media is a very important tool for networking as it is a way to connect with many people at
one time, for example, blogging is a great social media tool that lets you share a wide array of
information and content with readers and this is good for networking as it is a way to share
pervious work so that potential employers can see the type and quality of work you produce. Social
media is also a good way to promote yourself or your business. Marketing is most powerful if you
can keep your name in front of your audience on a regular basis. Social networking is an effective
marketing tool for both businesses and individuals. It's as easy as taking a couple of seconds to
update your status daily. You can use social networking to say great and positive things about
yourself or your business. If you are looking for a job, you want to essentially publicize all the things
you can't fit into your CV. Social networking provides a platform to promote your skills in a planned
campaign.
I could use networking to self promote, by using social media such as twitter, where you can use
hash tags to connect with people in similar industries to you, which is very good as it enabled you to
connect with employers and other journalists a like. I could also use business cards and other
advertising techniques such as online adverts to connect with employers. Another form of
networking I could use is websites and sharing it across social media platforms to encourage traffic
to visit my page and view my past works in order to increase employment possibilities. I could also
use community events to promote my work as this would alert people within my area to get involved
with my work.
Current and Future Potential Networking
Current
Social media – As social media is a great why to self promote and currently I have many social
media accounts with other 1,000 followers in each. Therefore I could use these to promote myself as
a journalist and try to encourage people to read and evaluate my work in order to receive feed back
on the types of things I need to improve on.

5. Online platforms/websites – I currently have a personal website on which I prost all my work.
This makes my work assessable to anyone who would like to read it so, this increases my chances of
future employment.
Future
University – university is a good way to network as you meet a lot of new people, which allows you
to connect with the suitable people for employment.
Work experience – Future work experience in my chosen sector will help me to connect with new
people to learn new skills to allow me to be equip for different types of writing and future
employment.
Social Media Presence
Without a strong online presence, it’s much harder to promote yourself, connect with peers or be an
active voice in an industry. You can miss out on important news, networking opportunities and job
opportunities. It not just a powerful tool for connecting with friends it can also be beneficialwhen
connecting with businesses. It’s also an essential way to enhance your reputation: crucial when
more employers are searching social networks for insights into the candidates they’re considering
hiring. Using socialmedia platforms allows for everyday communication with employers and can be
a great place to provide a higher level of information.. Giving your employers the option to connect
with you through social media gives them the ability to offer opportunities and feedback, and gives
you the ability to quickly respond to job chances. Also social media platforms allow you to stay
connected with your customers to increase loyalty.
With the rise of Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn information is constantly being shared, pictures
are being uploaded, people are researching and buying services. With all of this content, social
media platforms are a potentially the best place to find employment. Posting positive information
increases your rankings in search engines and keeps people who follow you on social media engaged.
Sharing content through socialmedia carries over into a more effective promotion, leading to
higher visibility, more traffic, and ultimately more jobs.. Social media is also the perfect place to
connect with potential partners. As your company’s socialnetwork grows, so do your opportunities.
Task 2: Job Roles in Your Chosen Media Sector
Name of Job Roles &
Responsibilities
Qualifications
needed
Route into Job
Writer This covers various
forms of writing such
as. Poetry, short
stories, novels,
scripts, non-fiction,
print media and web-
content.
researching the
market including
reading relevant
publications or blogs,
and staying up to date
with writing that is
being produced in
your chosen field;
selecting subject
matter based on
personal or public
N/a academic
qualifcations apart
from English.
terary skills;
imagination;
a clear, entertaining
style;
the ability to work to
tight deadlines, while
also maintaining
attention to detail;
excellent research
skills, both literary
and business-related;
self-discipline and
time management
skills;
the ability to work
Study literate and
writing at university.
Freelance writing

6. interest, or
commissioned by a
publisher or agent;
undertaking
background research
including desk based
research and
conducting site visits
or interviews;
writing individual
pieces, including
using the technical
skills of writing and
being able to
structure and plan
individual projects;
editing, revising and
reviewing work
especially in response
to feedback;
working to tight
deadlines, especially
for theatre, screen
and radio;
submitting material
for publication in the
required and
expected format;
networking with
other writers, as well
as others involved in
the industry such as
publishers,
booksellers and
organisers of literary
events;
liaising with
publishers, agents,
script editors,
producers and
directors;
finding, pursuing and
maintaining
knowledge of
publication
opportunities;
marketing including
maintaining an online
presence through a
website, blog or social
media presence;
talking about your
work at events and
conducting readings
or book signings;
teaching writing in
further or higher
education settings or
running workshops
alone for long periods
of time;
networking skills and
the ability to develop
media contacts;
marketing skills and
an understanding of
new media as a tool
for self-promotion;
IT, web, typing and
editing skills;
the necessary
financial skills to
manage yourself in
the employment
market;
the ability to
understand and
accept criticism;

7. privately;
critiquing the work of
other writers
including sometimes
providing mentoring
or coaching services;
managing the
business side of
writing including
maintaining financial
records, checking
contracts and
submitting invoices
and tax returns.
Magazine Journalist researching a subject
and story;
writing and editing
news stories and
features in the
publication's house
style;
ensuring work is well
written, accurate and
submitted to
deadline;
conducting
interviews, either in
person or remotely;
attending seminars,
conferences and fairs
(some magazine
publishers hold
exhibitions and
events to allow
advertisers to meet
their readership);
generating ideas for
stories;
sourcing images to
accompany written
pieces;
meeting with
colleagues to plan the
content of the issue
and the character of
the publication;
keeping up to date
with trends and
developments
relating to the
magazine's subject
matter
GCSEs
A minimum of five
GCSEs grades A to C
or their equivalent
and one of which
must be English.
A-levels
Degree –
writing/journalism
Freelance journalism
University
Broadcast journalism generating ideas for
stories and features
and following leads
from news agencies,
the police, the public,
press conferences and
GCSEs
A-levels
Degree –
writing/journalism
University

8. other sources;
pitching ideas to
editors and
commissioners;
researching, verifying
and collating evidence
and information to
support a story using
relevant information
sources such as the
internet, archives,
databases, etc.;
writing scripts for
bulletins, headlines
and reports;
selecting appropriate
locations, pictures
and sound and
exercising editorial
judgement on the best
angle from which to
approach a story;
identifying necessary
resources and
deploying and
managing technical
crews for location
shoots, including
sound operators and
camera crew;
providing directorial
input, advising crews
on what to film or
record;
using portable digital
video (DV) cameras
and other equipment
to record material
and appropriate
editing software to
produce complete
packages for
broadcast;
preparing and
presenting material
'on air' for both pre-
recorded and live
pieces;
identifying potential
interviewees, briefing
them, preparing
interview questions
and conducting both
liveand recorded
interviews;
preparing timings for
each news item and
monitoring these
during broadcast;

9. deciding on the
running order for
bulletins and making
any necessary
changes during
broadcast;
collaborating with the
editor to put together
the completed
programme or item;
developing and
maintaining local
contacts and
assuming a public
relations role;
understanding and
complying with media
law and industry
codes of conduct
Task 3: Professional Development
University Course/About Location Requirements
Multimedia Journalism BA
(Hons) - This course combines
multi-disciplinary training in TV,
radio, newspaper, magazine, and
online journalism
These creative areas are enhanced
by the traditional benefits of an
academic education
The programme has closecontact
with leading journalists, editors,
and professional training bodies
Practical work is project-based with
students writing newspaper and
magazine copy and producing radio
and television bulletins and
packages to industry standards and
deadlines
A professional working
environment is simulated in
dedicated newsrooms and digitally
equipped studios
Bournemouth University 5 Gcses A* to C with English and
maths included.
300 to 320 tariff points from 3 A-
levels, including 120 points from
one A-level, or equivalent
qualifications. BTEC Extended
Diploma: DDM
Journalism BA (Hons) Creative Arts University, Surrey Four GCSES grade C or above,
including English
Minimum entry criteria of 220
UCAS tariff points
Or Pass at Foundation Diploma in
Art & Design (Level 3 or 4)
Or Pass at Extended Diploma (Level
3)
Or Access Diploma
A portfolio isn't required for this
course
Journalism & Creative Writing BA
(Hons)
Creative Arts University, Surrey Four GCSES grade C or above,
including English
Minimum entry criteria of 220

10. UCAS tariff points
Or Pass at Foundation Diploma in
Art & Design (Level 3 or 4)
Or Pass at Extended Diploma (Level
3)
Or Access Diploma
Fashion Journalism BA (Hons) Creative Arts University, Surrey Four Gcses grade C or above,
including English
Minimum entry criteria of 220
UCAS tariff points
Or Pass at Foundation Diploma in
Art & Design (Level 3 or 4)
Or Pass at Extended Diploma (Level
3)
Or Access Diploma
Alternatives to University
Name Location Requirements
BBC Journalism Trainee
Scheme
Many locations in the UK,
including, London, Dorset,
Ireland and Scotland
No academic entry criteria to
apply.
Proof of quality of pervious
work
ITV Journalism
Apprenticeships
ITV London Do not have a degree, a level 4
qualification or have already
completed a similar
apprenticeship
Online Media and Visual
Media Apprenticeship
Frontier London Do not need any academic
qualifications
Improving Job Prospects
CV – A CV is important to be able to get a job because, it showcases all your previous experiences
and past education to potential employers so that they will judge whether you are suitable for
the job.
Personal Website – It is important to have a personal website because it gives hiring employers
a glimpse into your personality and creative freedom to express your personality in ways that
are not possible through a traditional CV. Also having an informative website also sends a
message that you take your career seriously and a successful showcases your work within a
chosen sector.
Portfolio – A portfolio clearly defines your strengths with the sector to the audience and aims to
set you apart from other students or job applicants.
Blog – A blog is another good way to showcase work as a journalist as you can write about any
subject of interest in your spare time or as a hobby. This is also a good way to gain a large
audience to view you content meaning that you may become more famous as a freelance
journalist or produce an audience to feedback on your writing.
Social Media Presence – Having a strong media can increase job prospects as it is a good way to
receive information on future jobs and increase audience and traffic on a personal website or
blog and possibility receive job offers and feedback on work.
Other Methods of Promotion – Other methods of promotion such as , business card are helpful
as they promote your skills within the local area and may highlight you to possible employers.

11. Importance of Functional Skills
ICT – ICT is very important in jobs and education as most of the work done in today’s sociality is
completed on online. Therefore it is very important to know the basic skills of ICT such as Word,
Excel, PowerPoint and the internet in order to successfully get a job and work within a media
sector.
Maths – Maths is important for calculations regarding finance in the workplace.
English – English is important as you need to be articulate within a interview and job in is
especially important within journalism as an article needs to be concise and intelligently written.
Task 4: Professional Behavior
Reliability 9 – This has been used by being able to get
assignments in on time. This also links with
group work as I am always reliable when
working ing a group
Attendance and Punctuality 10 – I have attended every one of my lessons
so far in the course
Commitment 9 – I am committed to handing in all my work
before the deadline date and I am committed to
achieving the best grade possible.
Efficiency 9 – I have efficient at getting work done by the
deadline, attending lessons
and getting work done when
working in a group.
Contribution to team projects 8- I feel I am very good a contributing to
projects as my idea was going to be used for
my film unit.
Time Management 9 – I am very good at managing my time when
writing assignments.
Personal Responsibilities 6 – working to a deadline, pitching ideas,
writing work to the best of my ability
Communications 9 – I am very good at communicating with my
other team members when working in a team
and pitching ideas.